3. STATEMENT
How can I visually portray and understand people in my life through the enneagram?
For my sustained investigation I explored the enneagram. This is a system of personality typing, which aids in
describing the way in which different people see the world and thus, live in it. I was drawn to this subject because I
wish to look past the superficial characteristics of people, and perceive the motivation behind their personalities. I
explore this question by creating works that depict the overlooked mystery behind the nine personality types.
These works led me to the idea of conducting interviews (seen in S#2) in order to discover their personality types.
This helped me to become more aquainted with those around me and step out of my comfort zone, to fully dive into
my topic. I arranged photoshoots to depict their main traits, inner conflicts, and behavioral driving forces. By
practicing photoshop and editing in S#1-9. I experimented with color, unity, variety, and rhythm so that my
artwork adequately communicated each unique type. An example of this experimentation is seen in S#6, as I work
with neon lighting. I felt that I could improve the emphasis on portraying each person's personality, so I revised
the use of proportion, figure/ground relationship, and texture to better accentuate the inner type. This is seen in
S#3,5,7. I also felt I could improve my investigation by adding an adult in S#9, and so ending my sustained
investigation with my mother who is older than the rest of my subjects. This shows continuity in one's type, and
ties my investigation together as I start off with myself and end with my mother, who is the great motivation in my
life. Throughout each investigation I used various editing apps, props, and research to portray the characteristics
of each type and depict what sets each person apart; while emphasizing their inner motivations.
4. TYPE 1: THE
REFORMER
• The use of a mirror
reflects The
Reformer's
motivations of a
tendency to be judge
mental of themselves.
• To the far right I use
Dorothea Lange's
black and white
technique, to add to
the concentrated gaze
of the reformer,
emphasized by
texture and black
point.
5. TYPE TWO: CARING, SELFLESS. DEPICTED BY LOVING RELATIONSHIP WITH SIBLING. INSPIRATION BY
DOROTHEA LANGE (BLACK AND WHITE TECHNIQUE TO EMPHASIZE EMOTION & EMOTION.
6. • The photograph above
depicts the ambitious,
competent, and energetic
motivations that drive a
type three.
• To the right, I decided to
use the rule of thirds so
that Abby was the center of
the picture and the eye was
immediately drawn to her.
This further points to
the outstanding type three.
Abby, (person
pictured) was a
highly competitive
gymnast who
unfortunately had
to stop when she
suffered a terrible
injury, while
realizing the sport
she commit her
life to.
TYPE 3: THE ACHIEVER
7. TYPE 4: THE INDIVIDUALIST
• For this type, I depict the
imaginative, and creative by
using a bright color palette.
• I had Andy
(model) bring two things
that motivated him.
• The cape and
guitar emphasize his
personal type and
motivations in his way of
life.
8. TYPE 5:
THE
INVESTIGATOR
• I used Chiaroscuro's light and
dark technique to give the
photograph (right) an
antique spy-like setting.
• This is to bring emphasis to
the thoughtful and
insightful enneagram type .
• A pastel color palette adds
to the depiction of an
intellectual person.
9. TYPE 6:
THE
LOYALIST
• In conducting my sixth
sustained investigation, I
experimented with neon
lighting. This is to
emphasize the defensive,
but reliable side to the
loyalist
• I used blue and orange to
complement each other
and thus bring unity to
the photo.
10. TYPE 7: THE ENTHUSIAST
Bright color palette reflect the energetic and lively type seven. Having my person coming out of a circular shape
allows for the viewer's eye to be drawn immediately to her, and adds a sense of adventure.
11. • I kept Chiaroscuro’s light
and dark techniques to
further portray the type.
• Inner conflicts of a type eight
seen in the faded out feature.
• From the outside appear
recollected, superior, and well-
constructed. However, they are
hesitant to seek for help and let
their inner self become
vulnerable.
TYPE 8: THE CHALLENGER
12. TYPE 9: THE PEACEMAKER
• On the left picture, is the
type nine in a negative state
of seeking peace between
others.
• To the right is her finding
peace within herself.
I end my sustained investigation
with my mother who is older than
the rest of my pictured friends. This
shows continuity in one's type, and
ties my investigation as I start off
with myself and end with my mom
who is the great motivation in my
life.
13. ADVICE TO FUTURE AP ART STUDENTS
• DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT PROCASTINATE! I would suggest to work
ahead even, it will save your life. (vital survival code)
• Be open to constructive critisism, (or just critisism in general haha).
Also, there will be frequent class critiques so you don’t have much of an
option.
• Ask for pointers, don't be afraid to be stuck. A succesful ap art student
should be ready to receive help, and luckily you have the best teacher to
do just that. Prof. Robson is a prodigy and sooo patient. We love her.
• Have fun. It's kinda hard not to anyways.
• If you find yourself in the middle of a pandemic and feel you are going
crazy, work on your art and play some realxing tunes ( John Mayer).
• If you need any extra help, you can always ask me!